Insert for a cup

ABSTRACT

An insert for a cup includes a substantially sleeve-shaped upper region configured to facilitate a snug fit of the insert inside the cup, and a separation structure extending below the sleeve-shaped upper region shaped to accommodate a frozen substance contained within the cup. The insert allows the substance to be frozen or to remain frozen in an intended shape.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an insert for a cup. More specifically the invention relates to an insert for a disposable cup of the kind generally used to dispense and consume consumable products from. The invention extends to a cup having an insert secured therein.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Disposable cups, most often manufactured from suitable plastics materials, are the preferred vehicles for dispensing beverages at large gatherings of people such as, for example, festivals, live sporting events, music performances and the like, where high volume sales are typically conducted over a relatively short period of time. Plastics cups are generally preferred because they are safer to use at such events than glass, are less expensive than glass, are easier to handle, can be more conveniently stacked, are lightweight and accordingly easier to transport in bulk, are more durable, much less likely to cause injury to people if broken and can typically not be used as weapons.

The large numbers of customers that need to be served in short periods of time, for example before an event starts or during an interval, and the speed at which beverages can be prepared and dispensed typically result in bar areas at events becoming overcrowded and customers experiencing excessive delays before being served. To add to the problem, it has become customary not to serve beverages, in particular alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, spirits and so-called Flavoured Alcoholic Beverages (FABs) or Ready To Drink (RTD) beverages, in the individual serving containers in which they are manufactured and distributed. These containers are generally made from glass or tin and apart from the obvious littering problems associated with their use they can be dangerous in the hands of unruly spectators and can cause serious injury or damage to property when used as projectiles that are thrown at other spectators or performers.

In addition, certain kinds of beverages such as mixed alcoholic drinks that include a combination of ingredients (hereinafter simply referred to as “mixed drinks”) are more cumbersome to prepare and serve. A server at a bar will generally require more time to prepare and serve a mixed drink than simply pouring a beer, cider or bottled beverage from a tap or the container in which it was dispensed into a cup, as several steps are required to prepare a mixed drink. This may exacerbate the crowding problem at serving areas as well as lead to unnecessarily long waiting periods for customers being served. This in turn may result in lost sales due to some customers' unwillingness to wait in line.

The applicant is also aware of a number of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, that include a number of different, non-homogenous ingredients. These can, for example, be frozen ice cream mixed with a soda, commonly referred to as a soda float, or even combinations of ice cream, soda and candy, but can also be as simple as a beverage served with a serving of ice. For ease of reference, these drinks will simply be referred to as “combination drinks”. A common feature of combination drinks is that the different ingredients have to be combined at the time of serving or, at best, shortly before serving. The combination of the ingredients therefore requires additional preparation time at the time of serving the beverage which can be undesirable.

An additional problem with combination drinks is that their ingredients are typically sold separately and in larger quantities or volumes than is needed to make a single drink. This means that customers cannot buy a single combination beverage from a retailer or convenience store for immediate consumption, unless it is from a restaurant or take-away store at which prices are generally much higher. There is accordingly a need for a packaging solution that will facilitate the retailing of individual combination beverages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided an insert for a cup, comprising:

-   -   a substantially sleeve-shaped upper region configured to         facilitate a snug fit of the insert inside the cup; and     -   a separation structure extending below the sleeve-shaped upper         region shaped to accommodate a frozen substance contained within         the cup, thereby allowing the substance to be frozen or to         remain frozen in an intended shape.

Further features of the invention provide for the insert to define a compartment which is fluidly separated from an interior of the cup when the insert is positioned inside the cup; for the separation structure to constitute or to form part of the compartment; for an open end of the compartment to be sealed with a tamper-evident seal; for the tamper evident seal to be a removable membrane; alternatively for the compartment to be shaped and dimensioned to receive a beverage container inside it; for the compartment to be cylindrical and configured to receive a standard sized beverage can; and for the standard sized beverage can to be a standard 200 mL 330 mL, 440 mL or 500 mL can, or any other standard capacity container.

In one embodiment of the invention, further features provide for the separation structure to have a cross-shaped cross-section configured to divide a lower region of the cup into four segments and to terminate at or near a bottom of the cup when the insert is positioned inside the cup; alternatively for the separation structure to comprise a plurality of planer projections intersecting at a common centre and configured to divide the bottom region of the cup into a plurality of segments.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, still further features provide for the separation structure to be wedge-shaped and to taper towards a bottom of the cup when positioned therein, and to be configured to divide a lower region of the cup into two portions, each portion positioned between a major side surface of the wedge-shaped separation structure and the side of the cup; for the wedge-shaped separation structure to terminate at or near a bottom of the cup when the insert is positioned inside the cup; and for opposing, minor ends of the wedge-shaped separation structure to conform to the inside surface of the cup.

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, a yet further feature provides for the separation structure to be cone-shaped and to taper towards a bottom of the cup when positioned therein, and configured to terminate at or near the bottom of the cup, thereby allowing the substance to be frozen with a conical recess extending into it.

Further features of the invention provides for the compartment to contain a potable liquid or edible goods; for the potable liquids or edible goods to be sealed within the compartment with the tamper evident seal; alternatively for the compartment to contain toys, trinkets or other promotional items which are not intended to be consumed, but rather to appeal to consumers; and for the toys, trinkets or other promotional items to be sealed within the compartment with the tamper evident seal.

The invention further provides for a cup having an insert as defined above secured therein.

Further features of the invention provide for the insert to be hermetically sealed inside the cup so as to hermetically seal the interior of the cup from the surrounding atmosphere; for the insert to be sealed inside the cup with a heat seal or with an adhesive at or near an upper region of the insert and cup; and for the seal to be broken when removing the insert from the cup.

Still further features of the invention provide for the cup to be at least partially filled with a frozen substance such as ice cream, ice in the form of crushed ice, shaved ice, flavoured ice or the like, or a substance suitable for freezing such as liquid ice cream or water before the insert is positioned inside the cup; for the substance to be introduced to the cup in the intended shape or for the substance to be pressed into the desired shape during the introduction thereof into the cup; and for the insert to be positioned inside the cup after the substance has been shaped into the desired form thereby allowing the substance to be frozen in a shape accommodated by the separation structure.

Yet further features of the invention provide for the cup to have at least one irregular surface configuration such as a groove, ridge, shoulder, channel, pattern or the like near an inner bottom edge thereof, which provides an area into which the substance can settle so as to increase the force needed to remove the substance in a frozen form from the bottom of the cup.

Further features of the invention provide for an operatively bottom region of the compartment to include at least one frangible area configured to break and release contents of the compartment into the cup when the insert is removed from or twisted inside the cup; for the cup to include complementary formations facilitating the breaking of the frangible area and the release of the spirit from the compartment when the insert is removed from or twisted inside the cup; and for the contents of the compartment to be an alcoholic spirit.

Yet further features of the invention provide for the cup to be at least partially filled with water prior to securing the insert inside it, thereby allowing the water to be frozen in the shape accommodated by the separation structure.

Further features of the invention provide for the separation structure to be resilient or rigid, thereby allowing the separation structure itself to force or keep the contents of the cup in the desired shape.

Still further features of the invention provide for the insert and cup to be manufactured from suitable plastic materials; and for both or any one of the cup and insert to be disposable and/or recyclable and/or reusable.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying representations in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional representation of an insert for a cup in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a part sectional side view of the insert of FIG. 1 secured inside a cup, in which only the cup is sectioned;

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional representation of an insert for a cup in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a part sectional side view of the insert of FIG. 3 secured inside a cup, in which only the cup is sectioned;

FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional representation of an insert for a cup in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a part sectional side view of the insert of FIG. 5 secured inside a cup, in which only the cup is sectioned;

FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional representation of an insert for a cup in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a part sectional side view of the insert of FIG. 7 secured inside a cup, in which only the cup is sectioned;

FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional representation of an insert for a cup in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a part sectional view of the insert of FIG. 9 secured inside a cup, in which only the cup is sectioned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an insert (1) for a cup in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The insert has an annular ring (10) at the top thereof which is shaped to engage the rim of a cup. The ring is configured to be secured to a rim (11) of a cup (13), as shown in more detail in FIG. 2, by means of a heat seal. The heat seal also hermetically seals the interior of the cup from the surrounding atmosphere. An upper region (12) of the insert (1) has a tapering, sleeve-shaped profile conforming to an upper region of the cup (13) with which it is intended to be used, so that when it is positioned in the cup (13), it engages the inner surface of the upper region of the cup (13) in a snug fit, when positioned inside the cup (13). The insert (1) further defines an inwardly stepped edge (15), from which the insert extends into a tapered mid-section (17), which again conforms to the inside of the cup (13). It should be appreciated that the stepped edge (15) facilitates a closure, preferably a removable membrane (not shown) being secured over a compartment (19) formed within the insert (1). The compartment (19) has a blind end (21) and is therefore isolated from the interior of the cup (13) when the insert (1) is positioned inside the cup (13).

A separation structure (14) extends below the mid-section (17) and is shaped to accommodate, shape, or otherwise deform a liquid or other substance contained within the cup into a corresponding shape when the insert (1) is inserted into the cup (13) containing the liquid or other substance. In the present embodiment, the separation structure (14) has a cross-shaped cross section and divides a lower region (23) of the cup into four segments (25). When positioned inside the cup (13), the separation structure (14) terminates in close proximity to the bottom (27) of the cup (13), preferably against it. The overall height of the insert (1) is therefore substantially the same as that of the cup (13), although clearly this is not a requirement.

During production, the cup (13), as shown in FIG. 2, is filled with a predetermined amount of a potable liquid suitable for freezing, in the present embodiment water. The insert (1) is positioned inside the cup (13) and the cross-shaped separation structure (14) divides the water into four substantially equal segments (25). The insert (1) is secured to the cup (13) at its rim by means of a heat seal on the inside of the cup (13). The cup with the insert attached, as shown in FIG. 2, may then be placed in a freezer, where the water freezes into four separate ice blocks, one in each segment (25).

When a user wishes to use the cup, he or she breaks the seal between the cup (13) and the insert (1), removes the insert (1) from the cup (13), and thereby dislodges the ice from the separation structure (14). In the present embodiment, four similar blocks of ice may be left behind inside the cup for a user to use in a conventional fashion. It may be necessary to apply some force to the blocks of ice to dislodge them from the separation structure. A smooth surface on the separation structure may ease the removal of the blocks of ice therefrom.

It will be appreciated that any number of alternatively shaped separation structures may be utilized to provide a user with required number and shape of individual blocks of ice. For example, any structure comprising a plurality of planer projections intersecting at a common centre could be used to yield the required number of ice blocks.

FIG. 3 shows an insert (2) for a cup in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4, in turn shows the insert (2) of FIG. 3 positioned inside in a cup (13). Similar features to those described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 will, where referred to, be referenced with the same reference numerals. The insert (2) in accordance with this embodiment has substantially the same annular ring (10), upper region (12) and inwardly stepped edge (15) as was described with reference to FIG. 1. However, in this embodiment of the invention, the separation structure (30) is wedge-shaped and tapers towards its free end (31). When placed inside a cup (13) as shown in FIG. 4, the free end (31) of the separation structure (30) terminates close to or against the bottom (27) of the cup (13), and the separation structure divides a lower region (28) of the cup (13) into two portions. Each portion is positioned between a major side surface (32) of the wedge-shaped separation structure (30) and the side of the cup (13). In use, the insert (2) is positioned inside a cup (13) containing a substance in liquid or otherwise soft form, in the present embodiment ice cream. In the present embodiment, the wedge-shaped separation structure (30) is substantially rigid, or simply firm enough, to divide the ice cream within the cup (13) into two generally equal portions, ready to be frozen in that shape the same manner as was described with reference to FIG. 2. The annular ring (10) at the top of the insert (2) is again attached to a rim (11) of the cup (13) by means of a heat seal.

Upon removal of the insert (2) from the cup (13), the ice-cream will remain in the shape caused by the separation structure (30) and a user may introduce a separate potable liquid, such as a soda beverage, into the cup, over the ice cream. This provides the user with what is commonly referred to as a “soda float”. It should be apparent that the wedge-shaped separation structure (30) divides the ice cream into two substantially equal portions and creates a channel in the ice cream when it is frozen. The advantage of separating the ice cream into portions and creating the channel is that the exposed surface area of the ice cream is enlarged, ensuring a larger contact area between the ice cream and the soda. This ensures a quicker mixing of the ice cream with the soda, and also melting of the ice cream, than had the ice cream in the bottom simply been provided in one large block. In the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the ice cream is frozen to the bottom and sides of the cup. This assists in limiting or preventing/restricting the ice cream from releasing from the bottom and floating to the top of soda within the cup.

The embodiment of the invention shown and described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 allows ice cream to be frozen so that a part of the ice cream extends along the side of the cup, from the bottom upwards. This allows a user to scoop the ice cream from the sides of the cup with a spoon while the soda float is being consumed. As the level of the soda lowers while the soda float is being consumed, the user can reach lower and lower down into the cup to reach ice cream lower and lower down in the cup, without spilling the soda over the sides of the cup.

In conventional soda floats, the soda float is provided with the ice cream floating on top of the soda, hence the title thereof. This however, is not ideal, as a user may experience difficulty in scooping ice cream from the cup due to the ice cream moving around generally freely whilst the user tries to scoop up a part of it. In conventional soda floats, the ice cream scooped up by the user may also not have been sufficiently mixed with the soda, since at least a part of the ice cream normally protrudes above the level of soda without being in contact therewith. The fact that the ice cream in the present embodiment is now frozen to the sides of the cup eases the scooping of ice cream, and also ensures that the ice cream is mixed with the soda while the user raises the spoon with the ice cream from the cup, submerged in the soda.

According to the applicant's knowledge, a significant disadvantage of conventional soda floats is that the reaction of ice cream with soda causes foaming which often results in a spill over the side of the glass. This may be due to the fact that a glass is often filled to a too high level before the ice cream is introduced into the glass, or because the ice cream which is added to a soda float is often relatively soft. Softer ice cream tends to react with the soda faster than harder ice cream, causing more violent foaming. The same type of ice cream will typically be harder at a lower, or cooler, temperature than it will be at a higher temperature. In the present embodiment of the invention, the ice cream frozen within the cup need not be soft enough to allow it to be scooped from a separate container or for it to be dispensed from a soft serve machine or the like into the cup. As the ice cream within the cup may be at a relatively cooler temperature, the present invention thus enables the prevention of relatively violent foaming upon adding of the soda to the ice cream.

Furthermore, a user would be able to watch the level of the contents of the cup for the entire period that soda is being added to the cup with the ice cream already in the cup. As the soda and ice cream will generally react with one another while the soda is being added, a user may more easily prevent overflow of the cup. The fact that the ice cream stays at the bottom of the cup whilst the user is adding soda to the cup provides a user with greater control over the interaction between the ice cream and the soda.

It is further envisaged that the inside surfaces of the cup may have irregular surface configurations, such as grooves, ridges, shoulders, channels, patterns or the like, where the ice cream will be in contact with the cup. This provides an area into which the ice cream may settle and which may improve the level of grip between the frozen ice cream and the cup.

The insert (2) and separation structure (30) of FIGS. 3 and 4 may also be deformable. In such an instance, the separation structure itself may not be required to deform the ice cream into the desired shape. The ice cream may either be inserted into the cup in the desired shape, or the ice cream may be deformed by a wedge-like structure before the insert is secured to the cup. As the cup will typically be kept in the cold chain, i.e. will generally remain in a freezer or cold storage unit up until the time that it is served to a consumer, the ice cream should hold its shape for the length of its storage without melting.

To the applicant's further knowledge, soda floats are often not entirely consumed. As the ice cream floats on top of the soda, it is often consumed before the soda has been drunk from the cup as well. Once the ice cream has, however, been consumed the consumer may not have the desire to finish the remaining soda on its own. Providing a cup for a soda float in accordance with the invention may improve the likelihood that the entire soda float is consumed, as a consumer may have to consume most of the soda in order to reach the ice cream in the bottom of the cup. This may reduce wastage of ingredients.

FIG. 5 shows an insert (3) for a cup in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 in turn shows the insert (3) of FIG. 5 positioned inside in a cup (13). As before, similar features to those described above with reference to other embodiments of the invention are again referenced with the same reference numerals. The insert (3) in accordance with this embodiment has substantially the same annular ring (10), upper region (12) and inwardly stepped edge (15) as was described with reference to FIG. 1. However, in this embodiment of the invention the separation structure (40) is cone-shaped and tapers towards its free end (41), which again terminates in close proximity to the bottom (27) of the cup (13). The annular ring (10) at the top of the insert (3) is again attached to a rim (11) of the cup (13) by means of a heat seal. The conical separation structure (40) deforms a substance contained within the cup (13) into a shape with a conical recess therein. If used to deform ice-cream prior to freezing thereof, the advantages accompanying a larger surface area, as described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 above, are again present. The separation structure (40) of the present embodiment itself constitutes a conical compartment (42) which may be filled with an alternative substance meant for consumption from the cup (14), and which may be sealed off from the environment and the interior of the cup (13) at an open end (43) by means of a removable membrane secured over the compartment (42) to the stepped edge (15) in its side.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7, the insert (4) has a cylindrical separation structure (50) defining a tubular compartment (52) therein. The insert (3) in accordance with this embodiment has substantially the same annular ring (10), upper region (12) and inwardly stepped edge (15) as was described with reference to FIG. 1. As before, the compartment (52) is fluidly sealed from the interior of the cup (13) when the insert is placed inside the cup (13) as shown in more detail in FIG. 8. The annular ring (10) at the top of the insert (4) is again attached to a rim (11) of the cup (13) by means of a heat seal. In use, the compartment (52) may be filled with a potable liquid intended for consumption from the cup (13) after the insert (4) has been removed. The compartment (52) may be sealed at an open end (53) with a pull-tab type seal (54) which hermetically seals the interior of the compartment (52) from the surrounding atmosphere. The compartment may be filled with an alcoholic beverage which can be introduced to the cup (13) after the insert (4) has been removed; preferably after water which was introduced into the cup prior to inserting the insert (4) was frozen into the annular shape dictated by the separation structure (50). It should be appreciated that because beverages that are high in alcohol, such as spirits, will generally not freeze at the same temperature as water, cups containing inserts having numerous different kinds of spirits sealed within their compartments may be pre-assembled and placed inside freezers to allow the water contained in the bottom region of the cup to freeze. At the point of dispensing a mixed drink the server simply has to provide a customer with a cup containing the desired spirit in the insert, together with the mixer of his or her choice. The seal (54) could even be removed by the server prior to serving to comply with regulations in some countries that prohibit the serving of unopened alcoholic beverages. It is envisaged that the seal (54) over the compartment (52) of the insert (4) may be tamper-evident so as to provide a user with added assurance of the hygiene of the product he or she is consuming.

Alternatively, the compartment (52) formed inside the insert may not be sealed, but may be shaped to accept a standard sized beverage can or other container, such as a standard 200mL capacity beverage can. The beverage can may be inserted into the compartment from the top of the insert (4) with only a relatively small length of the can extending above the top of the cup (13), and may be provided to the consumer as a unit. As the bottom region of the cup (13) may be filled with an alternative substance, the consumer simply has to remove the insert (4) from the cup and pour the contents of the beverage can into the cup to create the mixed drink of choice. It should be noted that any standard capacity beverage can may be provided for by the size of the compartment, including a 330 mL can, a 440 mL can, a 500 mL can, or the like.

It is also foreseeable that the cup may be partially filled with crushed ice, shaved ice, flavoured ice or the like, prior to the insert being introduced. Keeping the cup at a low-enough temperature should ensure that a user is provided with the ice in the original form. This may allow the user to mix a cocktail or mixed drink having a different type of ice, especially if the compartment contains an alcoholic beverage or is configured to accommodate a standard sized beverage can such as previously described.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 9, an insert (5) according to the invention may also be configured to include combinations of differently sized compartments (60) and separation structures (62). FIG. 10 shows the insert (5) of FIG. 9 positioned inside a cup (13). It should be appreciated that combinations of differently sized compartments (60) and separation structures (62) may facilitate the provision of an alcoholic beverage or spirit inside the compartment (60), while the separation structures (62) may simultaneously divide the lower region of the cup into segments so that water may be frozen into distinct blocks inside the cup. If the insert (5) is removed, the ice blocks may be dislodged from between the separation structures (62) and the contents of the compartment (60) may be poured over the ice blocks to be consumed “on-the-rocks” or mixed with a mixer of the consumer's choice. The insert (5) in accordance with this embodiment still has substantially the same annular ring (10), upper region (12) and inwardly stepped edge (15) as was described with reference to FIG. 1. The annular ring (10) at the top of the insert (5) is again attached to a rim (11) of the cup (13) by means of a heat seal.

It should be noted that a separation structure of a cup may itself constitute a compartment, as was described above with reference to FIG. 5. The separation structures of the inserts of FIGS. 3 and 7 are equally suitable examples of where the separation structure may be shaped to also be a compartment. The compartment (60) of FIG. 9 also forms part of the separating structure of that insert (5), as at least a part of it will be in contact with the contents of a cup when the insert (5) is positioned inside the cup.

The above descriptions are by way of example only and numerous changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, it is envisaged that the compartment defined by the insert may be filled with an alcoholic beverage, and the bottom of the compartment may be configured to be in contact with the bottom of the cup when secured therein. In addition, the compartment may be include a frangible area which, when broken, allows the contents of the compartment to be released into the cup when the insert is removed from or twisted inside the cup. To accomplish this, the cup may have formations configured to facilitate the breaking of the frangible area upon release or twisting of the insert. This allows a user to be provided with a single unit consisting of a cup, ice cubes formed in the bottom of the cup and an alcoholic beverage contained in the compartment defined by the insert. It should be appreciated that the insert and cup may be configured so as not to allow the removal of the insert from the cup, once it has been so positioned, without the frangible area breaking and thus releasing the alcoholic beverage into the cup. This embodiment may also work with edible goods within the compartment which are intended to be released into the cup upon removal of the insert, for example chocolate chips which are to be released into a cup containing ice cream, so that a user is provided with an ice cream float with chocolate chips.

It should be noted that in the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10, the separation structure and the compartment may, in fact, be defined at least partially by the same formation. Any separation structure which is shaped so that it may also contain something inside it may act as both these elements at the same time, for example a wedge-like formation, a conical formation, a tubular compartment, or the like.

It is also envisaged that the compartment defined by the insert may contain edible goods or potable liquids such as syrup, flavouring, candy, chocolate pieces or the like which may be especially intended to be consumed with an ice cream float such as was described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. In combination with the frangible area as previously described, the contents of the compartment may automatically start being deposited into the cup upon removal of the insert. The compartment may also contain any number of alternative edible goods or potable liquids, which are intended to be mixed with others or consumed with ice cream. For example, the compartment may contain coffee, especially in espresso form. Alternatively, the compartment may contain edible snacks that may not be intended to be consumed with the contents of the cup, but rather separately, such as nuts, chips or the like.

It should be appreciated that an insert and cup according to the invention makes it possible for servers at bars to reduce the amount of time needed to prepare and serve mixed drinks as the server simply has to provide a consumer with a cup having an insert containing the required spirit in the compartment of the cup, and ice frozen in segments, along with the required mixer. The mixer may be provided to a consumer separately, or the server may remove the insert in the presence of a consumer and only pour in the mixer, with the ice remaining in the cup and the spirit released into the cup upon removal of the insert from the cup. In addition to the benefits mentioned above, service in this manner may also provide improved hygiene and may alleviate wastage associated with pouring spirits from larger containers on demand.

It is further envisaged that an insert and cup combination may be sold as a unit, pre-filled with the required amount of water. The water may already be frozen. The water used may be mineral water or spring water, ensuring that a user is presented with uncontaminated water inside a cup of which at least the interior surface is uncontaminated and free from impurities. This is possible because the insert according to the invention may obscure and protect the entire interior surface of the cup when positioned therein.

It should be noted that the insert and cup combination may be re-usable. A user may refill an empty cup with the required amount of water and place the insert inside the cup prior to freezing. The user may then re-use the cup in the same manner as before.

It is also envisaged that any number of differently sized cups and inserts may be used that fall within the scope of the invention. In addition, the separation structures may also take on any number of alternative shapes not described in this specification. The insert and cup may also be made from a suitable plastics material, and may be recyclable.

Furthermore, the insert may be configured to contain a number of different ingredients commonly used in mixed drinks. These may include, for example, garnishes, colorants, flavourings and the like. These ingredients may all be introduced into the cup from the insert, ready to consume them with the mixed drink. The compartment defined by the insert may also contain any number of toys, trinkets and/or promotional items. Although not intended to be consumed with the mixed beverage, such items may appeal to consumers.

It should also be appreciated that, as can be seen in the embodiments of the invention described above, the fact that the upper region of the insert generally conforms to the shape of the upper region of the cup with which it is intended to be used, cups having inserts secured therein may still be stackable to facilitate easy packaging, storage and transport. 

1. A removable insert for a cup, comprising: a substantially sleeve-shaped upper region configured to facilitate a snug fit of the insert inside the cup; and a separation structure extending below the sleeve-shaped upper region shaped to accommodate a frozen substance contained within the cup, thereby allowing the substance to be frozen or to remain frozen in an intended shape.
 2. The insert of claim 1, comprising: a compartment which is fluidly separated from an interior of the cup when the insert is positioned inside the cup.
 3. The insert of claim 2, wherein the separation structure constitutes, or forms part of, the compartment.
 4. The insert of claim 2, wherein an open end of the compartment is sealed with a tamper-evident, removable membrane.
 5. The insert of claim 2, wherein the compartment is shaped and dimensioned to receive a beverage container inside it.
 6. The insert of claim 1, wherein the separation structure comprises a plurality of planar projections intersecting at a common center and is configured to divide a bottom region of the cup into a plurality of segments.
 7. The insert of claim 1, wherein the separation structure is wedge-shaped and tapers towards a bottom of the cup when positioned therein, and is configured to divide a lower region of the cup into two portions, each portion positioned between a major side surface of the wedge-shaped separation structure and the side of the cup.
 8. The insert of claim 1, wherein the separation structure is cone-shaped and tapers towards a bottom of the cup when positioned therein.
 9. The insert of claim 2, wherein the compartment contains a potable liquid or edible goods.
 10. The insert of claim 2, wherein the compartment contains toys, trinkets, or promotional items.
 11. A cup having an insert of claim 2 secured therein.
 12. The cup of claim 11, wherein the insert is hermetically sealed inside the cup.
 13. The cup of claim 11, which is at least partially filled with a frozen substance, or a substance suitable for freezing, before the insert is positioned inside the cup.
 14. The cup of claim 13, which has at least one irregular surface configuration near an inner bottom edge thereof, which provides an area into which the substance can settle so as to increase the force needed to remove the substance in a frozen form from a bottom of the cup.
 15. The cup of claim 11, wherein the compartment contains a potable liquid or edible goods, wherein an operatively bottom region of the compartment includes at least one frangible area configured to break and release contents of the compartment into the cup when the insert is removed from or twisted inside the cup. 